View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Kreton tell Ellen his race does not do?

2. What did Kreton expect everyone to talk about?

3. What does Kreton claim this same trait means for the race?

4. How much of his brain does Kreton claim to use?

5. What will the military not do in response to information that Kreton is a mammal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a scene in the play in which Kreton is served breakfast by Ellen, which consists, in part, of bacon. Answer the following in relation to that scene.

1. What is Kreton's reaction to the bacon? Why? What is Ellen's response? What does this say about Ellen's opinions of eating meat? What does this say about Kreton's opinions of eating meat? What was Vidal trying to say by having the "superior" creature refuse to eat meat? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The role of women in "modern" society is another theme that runs throughout the novel. Reba and Ellen play two drastically different characters in the play, and Vidal seems to be representing two sides of the same coin with their behaviors. Compare and contrast the roles of Ellen and Reba to discover their representation of women in the novel. What are their reactions to things? Why do they react the way they do? What does this say about their representation of women? Do their behaviors change? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Nationalism is another theme that is present throughout the play. How is nationalism represented in the play? What is the result of this nationalism? How does this affect the storyline? What does this mean for the characters? Discuss nationalism not only from the aspect of the characters, but of Kreton too. He relies on nationalism to help him achieve his plan. What is in his way? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 350 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample